I dive into an often-overlooked clutter hotspot: photos, both digital and physical. I start by talking about the overwhelming number of images we keep on our phones—duplicates, random menus, travel shots, and multiple versions of the same scene—and explain how freeing it can be to systematically delete what we don’t need, starting from the oldest photos and working forward.

Then I welcome my friend Lori York, who’s struggling with boxes of old paper photos. I walk her (and listeners) through a simple, realistic system: gather all the photos, claim a dedicated workspace, and go through each picture one by one, deciding whether to keep or toss. Instead of fiddly albums, I recommend photo boxes organized by people, trips, or themes. Throughout, I emphasize that decluttering photos isn’t erasing memories—it’s honoring the ones that truly matter.

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I walk you through one of my foundational systems for getting organized: The Rule of Three. I explain why decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint, and how chasing a “done” to‑do list is unrealistic. Instead, I focus on building systems that make every new project manageable.

I introduce the Rule of Three: Creating a garbage pile, a donate pile, and a keep pile, and I add a crucial fourth ingredient—time. Without a proper block of time, even the best system will leave you frustrated. I share how I like using different colored garbage bags for each category so everything stays visually clear and easy to manage, and I stress the importance of emptying a space completely before organizing it.

Later in the episode, I’m joined by Sarah Burke from the Women in Media Podcast Network. Sarah lives in a Toronto condo and lives with ADHD, so we explore how micro decluttering—tiny, focused projects and functional zones—can make decluttering feel possible instead of overwhelming. I wrap up by assigning light homework: go buy three different colored boxes of garbage bags so you’re ready to use the Rule of Three anywhere in your home.

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Words about Episode 1

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Clear the chaos and reclaim your space with The Declutter Queen podcast. Host Avery Cundill shares practical, compassionate strategies to help you declutter not just your home, but your mind and life. From packed closets to overflowing inboxes, Avery explores the habits and emotional ties that keep us overwhelmed. Each episode guides you to let go of what no longer serves you, reduce stress, and make room for what truly matters. Access resources and support for your decluttering journey. Start listening for real clarity and calm.

Voiceover Credit: Mary Anne Ivison from Ivison Voice. She can voice your podcast trailer too.

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